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Mike Calise enters his fourth year on the Arizona State staff. This past summer, Calise was elevated to associate head coach responsible for recruiting and other on field activities.
Ever since Calise arrived at Arizona State he has been a principle factor in the Sun Devils earning two straight top-10 recruiting classes, including a school-best No.4 national ranking for the 2002 class by Soccer America and Soccer Buzz. Calise also had a major influence in the 2004 incoming class that includes two McDonald's All-Americans.
Calise's on and off the field performances have been noted nationally as he was selected as one of the nation's five women's soccer collegiate assistant coaches to be awarded the second annual AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year Award. The criteria is based on longevity, expertise, contributions to the school and community, and special achievements throughout their careers.
Last year, Calise assisted the Sun Devils to the second round of the 2003 NCAA Championship for the third time in the past four years and recorded the highest winning percentage in school history (.690). Additionally, ASU's second place Pac-10 Conference finish and its six conference wins were all-time records for the program. The Sun Devils also set another school mark as they finished the season ranked in the top-25 by all four major polls (Soccer America #14/Soccer Buzz #17/SoccerTimes.com #19/NSCAA #22).
Other accomplishments under Calise's tenure include the team being recognized with the top team grade-point average (3.46) in the 2002 NCAA Tournament field and in the Pac-10. In the 2002-2003 academic year, all 22 members of the team earned at least a 3.00 GPA or higher, also garnering Maroon & Gold Scholar-Athlete honors.
Calise arrived in Tempe from Princeton University where he helped to lead the Tigers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1983 and their first Ivy League crown since 1982. Instrumental in the team's success, Calise assisted Princeton to the NCAA Tournament in 1999 and 2000, as well as finish the 2000 season with a school record 13 shutouts and a 13-5-1 finish.
Calise was also a main reason that Princeton enjoyed one of the nation's top-25 recruiting classes in the country in 1999 and 2000. In the spring of 2000, Calise was the interim head coach of the Tigers while head coach Julie Shackford was on maternity leave.
Calise earned his degree from Boston College, where he played soccer for four years before graduating in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was a member of the Eagles'1995 Big East championship team.
